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Parksville BC - Discover Gorgeous Beaches, Trails and Family Fun!

View from the Beach at Parksville

Welcome to Parksville BC, on the Island's east coast. We'd say this is definitely one of our favourite family beach vacation destinations here on Vancouver Island!

This is a great place to "park it" because there's really something for everyone here.

The City of Parksville, located just 37 km (20 minutes) north of Nanaimo, is one of our favourite cities on the Island. With just over 11,000 residents, it's big enough to provide all the amenities you need, but small enough to give you that family-friendly, relaxed vacation town feeling.

It's easy to get to Parksville. Just travel north through Nanaimo (Highway 19), and take exit 46 off the highway - there are lots of well-marked signs.

Parksville is known for its spectacular beaches, and you can easily spend a day just exploring the tidal sand flats that spread out for miles. It's so relaxing...


Great Things To Do In Parksville BC

There's a ton of things to see and do in Parksville. But here's some of our favourite things to do when we visit here:
  • Interested in sandcastle competitions? Parksville is home to the Canadian Open Sand Sculpting Competition every summer, and a month long beach festival that you'll love!

    Parksville attracts tons of summer tourists (July and August), so prepare for busy streets and some long line-ups at concession stands. Click Here to find out more about the Annual Beach Fest!

  • A great place for the kids to play is the Lion's Venture Playground and Waterpark located in the Parksville Community Park, just steps from the beach. Watch for the signs to the Park, right off Highway 19A that runs through the city.

    If you have kids, this place is a must (we've spent hours there with our son - having to drag him out!)

    Also available are picnic benches, public tennis courts, ball parks, a lacrosse box, and a large field for kite flying. The nearby beach offers good swimming and beachcombing too.

  • If you have a spare hour, don't miss a round of mini golf at Paradise Fun Park, located right on Highway 19A.

    This is a blast for couples or families of all ages! The park offers two storybook-style 18-hole courses. Golf around minature waterfalls and some amusing displays - we go throughout the summer with our son and it's great! (Note: you may want to avoid going here on long weekends since it can get pretty packed and there can be lineups for each putting hole).

  • Rathtrevor Beach Provincial Park, located only a few minutes east of Parksville, is a really fantastic area for swimming, beachcombing and checking out tidal pools.

    When the tide is out, your kids will absolutely LOVE running out onto the wide-open beach, combing the sand for shells and tiny creatures! There's quite a few good trails marked, so take the kids and enjoy a self-guided nature tour of this beautiful area.

    • Find out more about Rathtrevor Beach Provincial Park here.


Where To Stay in Parksville BC

If you're looking for a good night's sleep, here's our picks for best places to stay while you're visiting Parksville:

  • Ocean Park Guest House - Here's a really nice guest house and cottage accommodation right in Parksville. Easy walking distance to the beach and the Parksville Community Park. This one books quickly for the summer, so call well ahead to make reservations.

  • Ocean Trails Resort - This is a well-liked resort accommodation bordering Rathtrevor Park. A good selection available of one to three bedroom rooms. Call ahead to find out what's available and to make reservations.

Dining in Parksville

There are plenty of great restaurants in Parksville. We have particularly enjoyed these ones:

  • The Rod and Gun Cafe at 163 Alberni Highway (250-954-1881). They've got excellent food served in a casual atmosphere and a wonderful patio to enjoy in the summer!

  • Kalvas Restaurant at 180 Molliet Street (250-248-6933). Great steaks, local seafood and wine. An uplevel "special occasions" type of restaurant that's a perfect choice if you are looking to spoil yourself.

Leaving Parksville BC

If you want to continue your driving vacation north (up Island) from Parksville BC, we strongly suggest you get onto Highway 19A at this point (known as the Oceanside Route).

This highway runs along the Strait of Georgia, and is one of the Island's prettiest drives - we absolutely LOVE taking this road! We guarantee that you won't be able to resist stopping along the way for pictures...or for a walk along the beach.

This Oceanside Route continues north through the Comox Valley, and ends in Campbell River. However, if you're short on time and want to take the fastest way possible up Island, then follow the signs in Parksville leading you to Highway 19 (the four-lane express highway).


This summer, it's sun, sand and surf in Parksville BC! So pack up the kids, and enjoy all that Parksville Vancouver Island has to offer!



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